that he might deliver us from the vices of this present age, according to the will of God, even our father: to

I certify to you, brethren, that the gospel, which has been preached by me, is not the result of human artifice:

and that I made a greater proficiency in Judaism than many my contemporaries of my own nation, being an extraordinary zealot for the traditions of my forefathers.

that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not thereupon apply my self to any man;

who had only heard, that I, who formerly persecuted them, did now preach the gospel of faith, which I once endeavoured to suppress:

and I went up according to revelation, and communicated to them that gospel, which I preach among the Gentiles; but privately to those who were of note, lest the pains, that I have already taken, or may hereafter take in the gospel, should be in vain.

and as to the false brethren, who insidiously crept in to spy out our liberty which we have by Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into servitude;

I did not show them the lest compliance by way of submission, that the doctrine of the gospel might remain among you.

on the contrary, when they perceived that I had the province of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, as Peter had that of preaching it to the Jews,

(for he that had wrought powerfully in Peter with respect to his apostleship among the Jews, had also wrought powerfully in me upon account of the Gentiles:) and when James,

Peter, and John, who were esteemed to be pillars, perceived the favour that was bestowed on me, they admitted me and Barnabas into fellowship, and agreed, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews.

and the rest of the Jews dissembled likewise with him, insomuch that Barnabas himself was carried away with their hypocrisy.

but when I saw, they conformed not their conduct to the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all: if you being a Jew, live after the manner of the Gentiles, and not according to that of the Jews, why do you constrain the Gentiles to judaize?

yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in him, and not by the works of the law, by which there is no justification.

for by one law, I am dead to the other law, that I might live unto God:

I am crucified with Christ, it is not I that now live, but Christ that liveth in me; the life I have in this body I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

O foolish Galatians, who hath deluded you, you that have had the crucifixion of Jesus Christ represented to your view?

if it be in vain. he therefore that ministreth the spirit to you, and worketh miracles among you, doth he it by the works of the law, or by the preaching of faith?

so hence ye know, that it is they who believe who are the children of Abraham.

and the scripture insinuating, that God would justify the Gentiles thro' faith, gave Abraham an intimation of the gospel in these words, " in thee shall all nations be blessed."

so that it is they who believe, who are blessed with Abraham, who did believe.

but they that rest themselves upon the works of the law, are obnoxious to the curse: for it is written, " cursed is every one, who continueth not in all things, which are written in the book of the law, to do them:"

but that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, is evident: for, " the just shall live by faith."

now the law does not justify by FAITH, but says, "he that DOES these things shall live by them."

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us. (for it is written, " cursed is every one, that hangeth upon a tree.")

that the blessing promised to Abraham might come on the Gentiles thro' Jesus Christ; that we by believing might receive the spirit that was promised.

this therefore I say, that the law, which was not till four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul the promise, that was ratified before by God, so as to set the promise afoot.

but the scripture has declar'd all guilty of sin, that the blessing promised on condition of faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

so that the law was our school-master to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Now I say, that the heir, as long as he is a child, is in a state of servitude, tho' he is to be lord of all;

who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

and because ye are sons, God has sent forth the spirit of his son into your hearts, crying Abba, that is, father;

so that thou art no longer a bond servant, but a son: and if a son, then an heir of God thro' Christ.

When you did not know God, you did service to those, who in reality are no Gods; but now that you know God,

or rather that you are favoured by him, how can ye turn again to the weak and beggarly elements of the law, to which you desire again to be in bondage?

you make me apprehensive, that the labour I have bestowed upon you will be all in vain.

It is not you that have done me any injury: tho' you knew through what infirmity of the flesh I heretofore preached the gospel to you,

what benedictions did you then pour out upon me! for I bear you witness, that, had it been practicable, you would have pulled out your very eyes, and given them to me.

they court your affection, but not in a fair way; for they design to exclude me, that you might have the greater esteem for them.

But tell me, you that are so willing to be under the law, why don't you consider the law?

for it is written, "rejoice thou barren, that bearest not; break out into loud acclamations, thou that hast not the travels of childbirth, for more are the children of the desolate, than of her that hath an husband."

but as then, he that was born in the ordinary course of nature, persecuted him, who was born by an extraordinary power; even so it is now.

so then, my brethren, we are not children of the bond-woman, but of the free-woman, by virtue of that freedom which Christ has procur'd for us.

take notice, 'tis I Paul declare it to you, that if you are circumcised, Christ shall be of no advantage to you.

for I testify to every man that is circumcised, that he is under an obligation to perform the whole law.

this opinionativeness does not come from him that called you.

I have confidence in you, that, through the Lord, you will be of the same mind with me, so that he who troubles you shall fall under the censure he deserves, whoever he be.

but if you bite and tear one another, take heed that you be not consumed by one another.

for the vicious desires are contrary to those of the spirit, and the inclinations of the spirit are contrary to those of the animal part; these are opposite to each other, so that you do not the things that you would.

drunkenness, revellings, and such like, concerning which I forewarn you now, as heretofore I have done, that they who practise such vices, shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Let him that is instructed in the word freely communicate his good things to him that teaches him.

be not deceived, God will not be mocked: for what a man soweth, that shall he also reap:

he that soweth to his vices, shall reap the deadly fruit of his vices; but he that sows to the spirit, shall of the spirit reap everlasting life.

for even they who are circumcised, do not themselves observe the law in other respects; but they dedesire to have you circumcised, that they may have matter of glorying upon that account.

but far be it from me that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world is as contemptible to me, as I am to the world.